Welcome to my blog, a space to get more information on sustainability practices and learn about what it’s like to work with a copywriter. I understand that working with a copywriter is a big investment, but I need you to know that it is one of the best that you’ll ever make.
As a green business owner, you are already doing so much more than “normal” businesses. Work with someone who will champion your brand, sell your products, and be your biggest fan. The world can’t afford for you to wait, but if you need a little more reassurance first, please check out some of my blog posts!
White papers are incredibly technical documents that are helpful for the reader and move them through the customer journey. They’re great for acquiring new leads and closing sales….but only if you have a great white paper writer. The ability to provide helpful information while subliminally nurturing a sale isn’t a skill all copywriters have. A […]
A white paper is a subtly persuasive document that presents in-depth information on a specific topic. It is often authoritative and explores a problem while providing solutions. White papers can also explore an idea with the intent to educate and inform a target audience. What a white paper covers and the style of white paper depends on the intended audience and outcome goals for the paper.
Many people use white papers to show their thought leadership and authority in an industry. Others use them for lead generation. White papers are also used to move a prospective customer through an organization’s sales funnel.
Sustainable businesses are often selling products or services that are either new, complex, or expensive. This is why a white paper is a great investment that is currently underutilized in the sustainability industry.
White papers do have a set of best practices they adhere to, despite covering a broad spectrum of subjects across many industries.
Given the complexities of writing a white paper, a finished product can take a couple of weeks to a couple of months to complete.
There are a handful of pitfalls to avoid when drafting a white paper to ensure your document is successful.
*With an increasingly informed consumer demographic it’s never a bad time for a B2C organization to begin releasing ESG reports.
Whether you’re trying to get an organization to make a big investment in your product or service, or if you’re trying to build your authority within your industry, white paper provides a wide range of benefits.
Let’s say your organization sells carbon offsetting for businesses. You’re tasked with getting your business in front of other businesses and explaining why your service is necessary. There are a handful of reasons why an organization would consider offsetting their carbon footprint.
First, a business could care about the planet and want to be more sustainable. This gives you the opportunity to talk about different types of carbon offsetting and why one is better than another.
Next, there are organizations who only care about carbon offsetting because they know there is a potential financial return. They’re looking at carbon offsetting as a way to help increase customer loyalty. In this situation, you’ll be presenting the facts around returns on investment when it comes to your service.
Last, there are people who have heard of carbon offsetting and might be interested. These potential customers are much higher in the funnel than the other two types of organizations previously mentioned. You need to move them further down your funnel, and can only do that with helpful facts and information.
You could make a white paper for each of these demographics. Or, you could make one long white paper. This longer white paper would encompass:
A document like this would allow key decision-makers to examine all aspects of a problem. A white paper empowers them to make a decision on whether they want to invest in your organization.
This scenario is no different when it comes to solar panel installations, sustainable consulting, or sustainable investing. White papers help make decisions on a service or item that is expensive, new or complex. They nurture conscious consumers into purchasing a product or recognizing an organization as an authority.
There are a couple of pre-requisites to producing white papers to consider. First, can your business afford to make an investment in a copywriter? White paper cost $2,500+. They’re certainly worth the investment, but they’re not cheap or quick to produce.
Do you have good marketing traffic currently? Do you have an email list you can send the white paper to, or are you able to run ads to create lead generation? Having a well built out marketing plan will help ensure your white paper is successful.
Do you know any industry experts that you can interview for subject matter? If they don’t work at your organization, it might be a good idea to start networking and meeting people who can provide you with information.
Once you’ve networked, developed your marketing strategy, and have the money to invest, you’re ready to start producing white papers.
Don’t try to find an employee in your organization to help you with your white paper. It’s almost always a better idea to outsource this responsibility to a professional.
You could encourage one of your employees to learn how to write a white paper. But, be prepared to waste valuable time as they get up to speed. You also can’t guarantee they’ll produce great results. Writing a white paper is a difficult mix of subtle persuasion embedded in information.
Not to mention they may not be familiar with audience. You don’t want a white paper written to a data analyst or franchise owner when it should be for a C-suite executive.
Unless you’ve hired someone who has experience writing white papers, it’s best to outsource to someone who has experience. Hiring a copywriter is likely to bring you a bigger return on your investment. Plus, you’ll create a relationship with an expert that you can leverage for assistance in the years to come.
If your sustainable business is ready to start talking about white papers, fill out a contact form or schedule a call. I’d be happy to see if we might be a good fit to work with one another.